iPhone 15 'Ultra' Could Replace Pro Max Model Next Year

[Tagbert]

Mark my words I will leave the apple ecosystem with my entire family if they move to usb-c. I have so many accessories that are lightning including many old players and even cars. I don’t know why the internet is full of idiots running around wanting usb-c, like who cares - the boat sailed 10 years ago when they picked lightning and committed. Just use MagSafe if you are so butt hurt about it. I mean this move will just be for apple to generate more money selling all new usb c accessories.

That is funny because we have lots of other people here saying that Apple is staying on Lightening because they can more more money that way. Once they move to USB-C people can buy their cables anywhere. This applies to Android phones as well as Apple. Most/all Android phones have already switched.

The primary driver for this change is the EU regulation that says that phones must switch to USB-C for charging by 2024 to be sold in the EU. That is a hard date and it is unlikely that Apple would make the switch only for the EU so it would probably be worldwide.

The other push for this is that for many people they have multiple devices all using USB-C for charging. Including many Apple devices. It gets to the point where only the iPhone is using lightning and requires you to carry another cable just for it when traveling. I just got back from a trip and it would have simplified things to have only needed the one cable.

If you do end up with a new phone with USB-C (whether Apple or from another vendor) You’ll probably need an adaptor cable if you still have USB-A devices that you connect too, though many of those are transitioning to USB-C. This is part of an overall move that will happen whether you want it to or not. Just as the iPhones moved away from the 30-pin connector 10 years ago. Back then there were people complaining about it and accusing Apple of only doing it to make more money. Even then, they were wrong about that as the motivator. We all got used to it and moved on.

 

[Whjuvv]

Honestly, 'Pro' & 'Pro Max' both suck. Plus is far more better. 'Plus' justifies the upgrades of the bigger model than the smaller model better.

And if Ultra is going to be used, Apple better justifies it and the phone. Just take a look at the Apple Watch Ultra. It's for EXTREME conditions. If there's a iPhone 15 Ultra, that's going to be separate from our regular ones. It has to be for extreme conditions. I can't even imagine such cases for a phone. I guess titanium casing can be one. And well over 2000$.

 

[MrMojo1]

Apple should make it simple, something like...
15 mini [5.4"]
15 [6.1"]
15 Ultra [6.7"]
15 Extreme [7"] 😅🤣

The entire 15 line is a 'pro' model with ProMotion.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I feel like apple needs to revamp their lineup. The regular models are priced too close to the pro line. They really need to go all pro and then just have a budget phone. I would love to see:

Pro mini
Pro
Pro max

Then whatever phone they decide on that comes in at a significantly reduced price.

you're stating regular models priced too close to the pro models and you mention the 'Pro mini' sort of contradicts yourself.

Why the current mini could never be a pro device:
TOO small a battery to fully enjoy:
the larger 48MP sensor, 3 camera's to boot.

It's just too much power drain. Also the heft of weight and bulk of the Pro 14's tri-camera setup - even without stainless steel would warrant a terrible experience.

 

[mattopotamus]

you're stating regular models priced too close to the pro models and you mention the 'Pro mini' sort of contradicts yourself.

Why the current mini could never be a pro device:
TOO small a battery to fully enjoy:
the larger 48MP sensor, 3 camera's to boot.

It's just too much power drain. Also the heft of weight and bulk of the Pro 14's tri-camera setup - even without stainless steel would warrant a terrible experience.

That's a valid point. Not sure how they would make a pro mini work due to battery limitations.

 

[webkit]

More option? Huh? The new Apple actually took out option by restricting certain features only for the top Pro models. With the old Apple, even people had more options. If they wanted the iPhone 7+ with telephoto but couldn't afford it at launch, they could simply waited a year and buy it for less. Now, you can never get telephoto lens unless you spend $1000. How's that more option?

Yes, absolutely more options. In the early years, iPhone options were pretty much limited to just storage size. This year between storage sizes, screen/device sizes and Pro/non-Pro features, there are 17 different iPhone options/configurations (including SE) compared to just two options in the early years.

 

[ian87w]

Yes, absolutely more options. In the early years, iPhone options were pretty much limited to just storage size. This year between storage sizes, screen/device sizes and Pro/non-Pro features, there are 17 different iPhone options/configurations (including SE) compared to just two options in the early years.

Where’s the option for telephoto lens if you don’t want to spend $1000? The models between SE and Pro (12, 13, 14) are mostly similar.

 

[LonestarOne]

If Apple want to avoid negative press, they should not offer USB-C only to the Ultra or even the Pro and Ultra models.

You think that will stop negative press? Sites like MacRumors will always find something to complain about, even if it’s something as trivial as a polishing cloth.

 

[George Dawes]

I’m not buying another iPhone until they start using usb c

Everything else does , my 2 iPads 11 & 12.9 , why not the phone too ?

 

[webkit]

Where’s the option for telephoto lens if you don’t want to spend $1000? The models between SE and Pro (12, 13, 14) are mostly similar.

Just because someone would have to go with a Pro or Pro Max model to get "telephoto" is irrelevant to the fact that it's still an option. That's like arguing that Apple doesn't offer iPhone storage options because larger storage can cost $100 to $500 more. In the early years, you couldn't get telephoto on an iPhone...period. It wasn't an option at any price. Again, there are more options with iPhones today than there were in the early years.

I believe the first iPhone to offer telephoto (at least labeled as such by Apple as some didn't consider it true telephoto) was the 5.5" display 7 Plus which with 32GB storage cost $769 or around $950 in today's dollars. The 6.1" display iPhone 14 Pro with 128GB, telephoto and many more features is only slightly more at $999.

A buyer can move up to the 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max for only $170 more than the regular 14 or 14 Plus which seems like a fair price for those who want a more feature rich iPhone. For those that don't, the OPTION to go with a less expensive iPhone is there including the much less expensive 2022 SE.

 

[ian87w]

Just because someone would have to go with a Pro or Pro Max model to get "telephoto" is irrelevant to the fact that it's still an option. That's like arguing that Apple doesn't offer iPhone storage options because larger storage can cost $100 to $500 more. In the early years, you couldn't get telephoto on an iPhone...period. It wasn't an option at any price. Again, there are more options with iPhones today than there were in the early years.

I believe the first iPhone to offer telephoto (at least labeled as such by Apple as some didn't consider it true telephoto) was the 5.5" display 7 Plus which with 32GB storage cost $769 or around $950 in today's dollars. The 6.1" display iPhone 14 Pro with 128GB, telephoto and many more features is only slightly more at $999.

A buyer can move up to the 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max for only $170 more than the regular 14 or 14 Plus which seems like a fair price for those who want a more feature rich iPhone. For those that don't, the OPTION to go with a less expensive iPhone is there including the much less expensive 2022 SE.

When the iPhone 8 was released, one can get the 7+ complete with telephoto for less. In short, you simply got last year's flagship for less. Today, you can never get the Pro models for less (outside resellers/refurbished) as Apple intentionally discontinue them just after a year, keeping the features like telephoto lens only for $1000 and up models. The old Apple at least trickles down the tech by simply keeping the previous flagship for less in the lineup.

With current Apple, if you want to go less, you are second class citizen (no telephoto, old design, etc). With the old Apple, if you want to go less, you still get the flagship iPhone, albeit an older one.

 

[webkit]

When the iPhone 8 was released, one can get the 7+ complete with telephoto for less. In short, you simply got last year's flagship for less. Today, you can never get the Pro models for less (outside resellers/refurbished) as Apple intentionally discontinue them just after a year, keeping the features like telephoto lens only for $1000 and up models. The old Apple at least trickles down the tech by simply keeping the previous flagship for less in the lineup.

With current Apple, if you want to go less, you are second class citizen (no telephoto, old design, etc). With the old Apple, if you want to go less, you still get the flagship iPhone, albeit an older one.

Again, the options to get new iPhones with or without telephoto exists and not only that, you can choose from two different screen/device sizes.

Where was the option to get telephoto on the "regular" (non-Plus) size 7 or 8? It didn't exist.
Where was the option to get telephoto on any iPhone prior to the 7? It didn't exist.

Plus, as you mentioned, there is also the option to go with an Apple certified refurbished iPhone which offers the same 1 year warranty as a new phone, a new battery and outer shell, etc. An iPhone 11 Pro can be had for as little as $559, an iPhone 12 Pro can he had for as little as $669, and iPhone 13 Pros should be available Q1 next year. Yes, availability is limited but the option can be there. An option that didn't exist through Apple's website prior to 2016.

As I've been stating, there are more iPhone options today than there were in the early years.

 

[compwiz1202]

And an iPhone Ultra wouldn't mean "give us more money if you don't want our half assed cut down product?" 🤣 Come on?

What percentage of the people buying the Apple Watch Ultra will actually use it for the extreme sports that Apple shows people using it for in their advertising?

I'm going to say not many... less than 25%. People will buy the Watch Ultra because they can, because of the longer battery life, because they want to show if off like a fashion accessory, etc. It's like the people who buy big trucks and SUVs but never take them off-roading or use it to haul or tow stuff; They buy them to show how macho they are.

If they would replace Max instead of just adding Ultra and hike the price that would mean I'm not coming back and you get ZERO. I hope it tanks hard if they pull that crap

 

[compwiz1202]

One thing to keep in mind, the people buying on launch day are not really typical users. They tend to be enthusiasts who buy the higher tier products. Once the initial round of purchases are done, the user profile shifts to a more mainstream, price-driven customer who is less likely to spend extra on a “pro” when they can get a larger “plus” for less money. Many of these are people who will buy a phone in August, just because they need a phone and don’t care to wait for the new one to come out.

Yes price isn't the deal, it's that people want the Pro features. And most don't want the regular 14 because it's just a 13+25% GPU. I'm curious to see how the Plus does since it's a bigger screen for less. So the people who don't care about Pro may get that. And most don't just want to spend more. If they would replace PM with Ultra with a significant price boost instead of replacing PM, I will most likely pass again.

 

[compwiz1202]

TBH, I don't really mind the ever increasing upper price. Set it for $2000 for all I care. The problem with today's Apple is that they intentionally keep certain features just for the highest flagship model, ie. telephoto lens.

With the old Apple, if I don't want to pay the flagship price, all I need is to wait next year or two, and the exact same flagship will be reduced in price as Apple simply shifted the lineup downwards. With the new Apple, this is only valid for the non Pro models as Apple keeps the Pro models at the $999 and up.

Yes I don't like the keeping the cool features for the top; although, it wouldn't be so bad as long as the replace the Max, and don't replace it and jack the price up

 

[compwiz1202]

Maybe not $2000 but $1499, yes

Yes $2k would be a hard no. Even $1500 would be iffy unless the economy would bounce back by
Sept. They are still saying groceries are on the way up and they are already 2-3x what they used to be.

 

[mfrank29]

$1500 would be my limit...and that would be if the storage was truly Ultra as in 512GB minimum and other useful premium features and design. If it is still 128GB base at that price....nope.

 

[transpo1]

Yes $2k would be a hard no. Even $1500 would be iffy unless the economy would bounce back by
Sept. They are still saying groceries are on the way up and they are already 2-3x what they used to be.

Yup, grocery inflation is at 15% in the U.S. If an average household spends $500 per month on groceries that’s close to a $1000 less per year to spend on an iPhone 15 Ultra. I bet Apple will upgrade the base iPhone 15 more next year relative to the iPhone 14 this year so that they can emphasize the value model at the same time they introduce the $1499 Ultra.

 

[webkit]

Yes $2k would be a hard no. Even $1500 would be iffy unless the economy would bounce back by
Sept. They are still saying groceries are on the way up and they are already 2-3x what they used to be.

Yup, grocery inflation is at 15% in the U.S. If an average household spends $500 per month on groceries that’s close to a $1000 less per year to spend on an iPhone 15 Ultra. I bet Apple will upgrade the base iPhone 15 more next year relative to the iPhone 14 this year so that they can emphasize the value model at the same time they introduce the $1499 Ultra.

Higher income households are more likely to be the ones buying $1,500+ phones and they are not typically as impacted by inflation as much as lower income households.

 

[transpo1]

Higher income households are more likely to be the ones buying $1,500+ phones and they are not typically as impacted by inflation as much as lower income households.

Correct, they are not as impacted but they are influenced by it nonetheless.

 

[ecvmr]

If they restrict new features to the IPhone 15 Ultra then I will be furious.

I have bought Pro models over the last few years because I was getting the best of the best, exact same features but the Max phones are just too big for me to comfortably use.

Prices are insane in the Uk and I paid £1400 for my 14 Pro. No way in hell I am paying this much for not the best of the best.

Another scummy business practice from Apple. Axing the mini was bad, gimping the standard 14 models was awful and this is just as bad again!!

If apple is reading this - even though I am in the ecosystem - watch, AirPods etc. I will go to Android as I want the best every year!!

 

[webkit]

If they restrict new features to the IPhone 15 Ultra then I will be furious.

If you are dissatisfied with what you get from Apple for the money then you should absolutely check out offerings from Android. Time will tell what plans Apple may have for an "Ultra" iPhone but I don't necessarily see anything wrong with companies like Apple offering tiered options or products at different prices. This has been common practice for ages and can allow customers to better pick and choose what they want rather than be forced to take (and pay more for) features they don't want or care about.

Prices are insane in the Uk and I paid £1400 for my 14 Pro. No way in hell I am paying this much for not the best of the best.

As far as "insane" UK prices go, you can blame the currency value changes a lot more than Apple. For example, the pre-VAT price of a 128GB iPhone 14 Pro in England is £915 which at the current exchange rate is around $1,022 USD. That's very similar to the pre-sales tax price ($999) of the same phone in the U.S.

 

[I7guy]

When the iPhone 8 was released, one can get the 7+ complete with telephoto for less. In short, you simply got last year's flagship for less. Today, you can never get the Pro models for less (outside resellers/refurbished) as Apple intentionally discontinue them just after a year, keeping the features like telephoto lens only for $1000 and up models. The old Apple at least trickles down the tech by simply keeping the previous flagship for less in the lineup.

With current Apple, if you want to go less, you are second class citizen (no telephoto, old design, etc). With the old Apple, if you want to go less, you still get the flagship iPhone, albeit an older one.

The old apple is gone and we all have to come to terms with the new apple. There is always the second hand or refurbished market to get what one wants. Choices are key in 2022, something that wasn’t around in 2012.

 

[ecvmr]

If you are dissatisfied with what you get from Apple for the money then you should absolutely check out offerings from Android. Time will tell what plans Apple may have for an "Ultra" iPhone but I don't necessarily see anything wrong with companies like Apple offering tiered options or products at different prices. This has been common practice for ages and can allow customers to better pick and choose what they want rather than be forced to take (and pay more for) features they don't want or care about.

Removing a popular product 'Pro Max' and replacing it with 'an Ultra' its just a rebranding exercise to justify: 1. Hiking up the prices more 2. Restricting features to short change non-Ultra phone users feel like they are missing out. Thereby strongly incentivising them to buy the much more expensive model.

They have been pulling this nonsense for years for example: cancelling the 13 mini, and the Iphone 14 using last year's CPU. Its just another way for them to scam consumers! Don't get me started on them restricting mini-LED to only 12.9 inch Ipads either as 11 inch is by far my preferred size but I wanted the best tech so am making do with a less optimal form factor right now.

They should have a variety, a choice of sizes at each tier of product. E.g. a 'Pro' line should have a mini size screen, a 6.1 and a 6.7. All features should basically be the same other than the larger products benefit from larger screen, larger battery, better cooling. This would work best for consumers and give most flexibility.

However the profit opportunities are greatly diminished for Apple as they have fewer reasons to cajole people into buying the more expensive models. Hence the new trend for these 'Ultra' products for the richest 1%.

How many of the current Apple Watch Ultra owners do you think are into extreme sports, climbing Everest or deep sea scuba diving? In reality, they are releasing a new, more expensive generation of product to apeal to everyone. Props to Apple for this smart marketing strategy to minimise backlash for them basically non updating the standard Apple Watch Series 8 v Series 7 as they don't really think it is aimed at them. Their strategy is quite transparent.

In short, you carry on defending one of the richest corporations in the world for their anti-consumer nonsense. I will call it out at every turn. Don't even get me started on removing the headphone jack on Ipads either! Or the fact that they are deliberately limiting the functionality of IpadOS so that it doesn't run mac programmes so it can't replace a laptop or cannibalise their macbook sales!

 

[webkit]

Removing a popular product 'Pro Max' and replacing it with 'an Ultra' its just a rebranding exercise to justify: 1. Hiking up the prices more 2. Restricting features to short change non-Ultra phone users feel like they are missing out. Thereby strongly incentivising them to buy the much more expensive model.

They have been pulling this nonsense for years for example: cancelling the 13 mini, and the Iphone 14 using last year's CPU. Its just another way for them to scam consumers! Don't get me started on them restricting mini-LED to only 12.9 inch Ipads either as 11 inch is by far my preferred size but I wanted the best tech so am making do with a less optimal form factor right now.

They should have a variety, a choice of sizes at each tier of product. E.g. a 'Pro' line should have a mini size screen, a 6.1 and a 6.7. All features should basically be the same other than the larger products benefit from larger screen, larger battery, better cooling. This would work best for consumers and give most flexibility.

However the profit opportunities are greatly diminished for Apple as they have fewer reasons to cajole people into buying the more expensive models. Hence the new trend for these 'Ultra' products for the richest 1%.

How many of the current Apple Watch Ultra owners do you think are into extreme sports, climbing Everest or deep sea scuba diving? In reality, they are releasing a new, more expensive generation of product to apeal to everyone. Props to Apple for this smart marketing strategy to minimise backlash for them basically non updating the standard Apple Watch Series 8 v Series 7 as they don't really think it is aimed at them. Their strategy is quite transparent.

In short, you carry on defending one of the richest corporations in the world for their anti-consumer nonsense. I will call it out at every turn. Don't even get me started on removing the headphone jack on Ipads either! Or the fact that they are deliberately limiting the functionality of IpadOS so that it doesn't run mac programmes so it can't replace a laptop or cannibalise their macbook sales!

I hardly think my suggesting that if someone is dissatisfied with what they get from Apple for the money, they should absolutely check out offerings from Android is "defending" Apple.

One thing I have been pointing out is that the overseas Apple price increases were largely tied to the currency rate change. As I showed in my previous post, pre-VAT prices in the UK and pre-sales tax prices in the U.S. for the 14 Pro aren’t significantly different. The other reality is that Apple hasn't increased Pro or Pro Max model U.S. prices since they were introduced in 2019.